A record breaking £94,000 is being offered across the livestock classes at one of the country's leading agricultural events, the Great Yorkshire Show.

BPA Pig of the Year winner a Large White gilt, Portbready Beryl shown by Steve Loveless of Bridport, Dorset.

Entries have risen year on year at the three day farming showcase which attracts competitors from across Britain. Last year the cattle, sheep and pig sections were all full with 1,005 entries in the cattle section, 1,561 sheep and 324 pigs. Dates for this year's event at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate are Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July. Livestock schedules are available from 1 April from the Livestock and Entries Department (01423 546236)

Show Director Bill Cowling commented: "This will be our 149th show, and the figures speak for themselves. Over the last decade or so, our entry figures have increased as indeed have the number of visitors - last year more than 135,000 people attended. We believe that ensuring the show remains true to its farming roots underpins its popularity. We attract both quality animals, and in large numbers so that an award from the Great Yorkshire is highly prized. "

Mr Cowling, who has a mixed farm at Pannal near Harrogate, has re-affirmed the show's commitment to its agricultural heart.

"We are in no doubt that the show will remain a focus for excellence in farming and the rural industry. The cattle shown are amongst the finest in the country - one of the sections where we have increased prize money is in the Commercial Beef where we now offer the highest amount of any show for the Supreme and Reserve (a total of £550). The sheep show is the largest in England, and we are delighted that once again we will be hosting the BPA Pig of the Year competition within our thriving pig section. All in all our reputation as a premier farming event is well deserved."

There are 20 breeds represented in the cattle section, 33 in the sheep with a new section for Black Welsh Mountain and 9 in the pigs which have new sections for Tamworth and British Lop.


Highlights of the Livestock Section at the Show include:

Cattle

Tuesday
All Beef, Commercial and Dairy breed classes
Supreme Beef Championship: Judged by a panel comprising of all of the Judges from the Beef breeds


Wednesday
Native Beef Championship: Judge D Thomlinson, Carlisle, Cumbria
Interbreed Beef Group: Judge D Thomlinson, Carlisle, Cumbria
Supreme Dairy Championship: Judge J Gribbon, Carnforth, Lancs
Young Handlers: Judge J Strachan, Saxmundham, Suffolk
Cattle Parade

Thursday
Cattle Parade

Sheep

Tuesday
All Sheep breed classes

Wednesday
Supreme Championship: As below plus a Terminal Sire judge to be selected at the Show
Interbreed Championships: Judges: A Lyons, Somerset; Mrs C Jakeman, Chester and J R Raine, Penrith, Cumbria
Commercial Female Championship: A Lyons, Somerset; Mrs C Jakeman, Chester and J R Raine, Penrith, Cumbria
Young Handlers: Judge M Withers, Beverley East Yorkshire.

Thursday
Wool on the Hoof

Pigs

Tuesday
All Pig breed classes
BPA Pig of the Year Heat: Judge R A Windsor, Nantwich, Cheshire

Wednesday
Supreme Championship: Judge R A Windsor, Nantwich, Cheshire
BPA Pig of the Year.Final: Judge W Gregory, Selby, N. Yorkshire
Young Handlers: Judge T Alty, Preston, Lancs

Thursday
Interbreed Pairs: Judge: J Cloke, Solihull, West Midlands
Young Pig Interbreed: Judge: J Cloke. Solihull, West Midlands
BPA Young Pig of the Year Heat: J Cloke, Solihull, West Midlands

Notes:

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is the organiser of the annual farming and country show case, the Great Yorkshire Show and its sister event, Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair. The Great Yorkshire Show takes place on Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July 2007and Countryside Live on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October. See www.yas.co.uk for more information.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1837 and is a charity dedicated to supporting the farming industry and rural life. The value of the support it provides to regional farming and countryside initiatives has risen year on year to nearly £1m.

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